Finch blasts ton before rain arrives

Harry Finch made his highest Hastings Priory score against Cuckfield

The 18-year-old Sussex professional scored a magnificent 124 off 181 balls with 19 fours to make it two centuries in four Sussex Premier League appearances for his hometown club this season.

After Priory won the toss and chose to bat at Horntye Park, Finch forged an opening partnership of 106 with Tom Gillespie (34) and a second wicket stand of 81 with Dave Lowery (40 off 42 balls).

Byron Gould smashed a typically belligerent 18 off just eight balls before Finch was eventually fifth man out with the score 249. Priory ended their innings on 270-6 from 55 overs with Keshav Maharaj taking four wickets.

Cuckfield also began well in reply with a first wicket partnership of 95 between Oliver Altendorf (70) and Gregory Wisdom (31) before Elliot Hooper removed both men within 10 runs of each other.

The visitors had reached 120-2 from 34.4 overs when rain brought a premature end to proceedings. Priory spinners Josh Poysden and Mick Glazier sent down 17 overs between them on their return from injury.

Three of the other four Premier League games yesterday were also abandoned and the only result came at East Grinstead where the hosts saw off bottom club Worthing by 59 runs to move within a point of third-placed Priory.

Standings (played 14 matches unless stated): 1 Preston Nomads (13) 313pts, 2 Horsham 253, 3 HASTINGS PRIORY (13) 245, 4 East Grinstead (13) 244, 5 Cuckfield 237, 6 Three Bridges 233, 7 Brighton & Hove 203, 8 Roffey 195, 9 Chichester Priory Park 189, 10 Worthing 180.

Assuming the ground dries out from the deluge of yesterday evening, Priory will travel to Three Bridges this afternoon for a Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup semi-final. Play is due to start at 3pm.